Transfer speculation surrounding captain Ola Toivonen won't destabilise the Melbourne Victory squad ahead of Sunday's A-League derby with Western United, according to coach Marco Kurz.
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The marquee man and top scorer is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move away from Victory, with new expansion club Macarthur FC reportedly among the suitors.
A return to his native Sweden has also been mooted.
"I think it (speculation) is normal," Kurz said.
"We are relaxed, we are calm because we are still in touch with Ola and I think in the next weeks we will sit together and find out what is his thoughts about the future and have a good discussion."
Toivonen has scored 20 goals in 30 A-League appearances, including five in eight starts this season.
Kurz could not guarantee the 33-year-old Swedish international would be at the club beyond the January transfer window.
"For me, he's a good player, but it must make sense from both sides," Kurz said.
"It's not only to extend the contract as the player but I think to extend as a family man is important.
"He is different to Australian players. He's from overseas, he's stayed a long time away and maybe it's the main reason it makes sense or not.
"That we have to find out. I cannot say.
"From a squad perspective, he is for us a very good player. But I think it's important to hear what are Ola's thoughts about his future."
Victory snared a much-needed three points against Perth Glory last week and will be out to exact revenge on Western United, who won a dramatic first meeting with their cross-town rivals 3-2 in round four.
United have lost their last three games and been held scoreless on each occasion.
"Everyone understands the enormity of this game and everyone knows what happened last time the two teams met," United coach Mark Rudan said.
"We need to get some scoreboard pressure and with the ladder being as tight as it is, it makes it interesting.
"I wouldn't call it pressure or panic, not at all, but certainly we need to start to pick up points."
STATS THAT MATTER
* Western United won their only previous A-League game against Melbourne Victory (3-2).
* Western United have lost their last three A-League matches and have been kept goalless in each of those defeats.
* Western United have conceded the opening goal of the game more times than any other team in the competition (6).
* Melbourne Victory (48 per cent) are the only team to have won less than half of their total tackle attempts this A-League season.
Stats provided by Opta
Australian Associated Press
